Ecofair Brings Jesmond's Green Groups Together at the URC

You do not always see the people working to make Jesmond greener, but for one Saturday they were all under one roof. An Ecofair at Jesmond United Reformed Church on Saturday 6 June gathered the neighbourhood's environmental groups together to mark World Environment Day, and to give residents simple, practical ways to get involved.

A snapshot of grassroots Jesmond

As reported by North East Bylines, the fair was put on by volunteers Xenia and Moira with the aim of uniting the community, both groups and individuals, and offering accessible routes into environmental action while still being a fun day out.

The stalls read like a who's who of local green effort: West Jesmond Allotments, Keep Jesmond Tidy, the Northumberland Bat Group, Gosforth Swifts, the Repair Cafe, Gibside Community Farm, and Newcastle Fairtrade Partnership, alongside a free environmental library and a tombola. Heaton's Community Grocery was there too, showing how affordable, low-waste shopping can work in practice.

The Community Orchard's young growers

One of the warmest stories on the day came from Jesmond Community Orchard, which tends fruit trees on the edges of St Andrew's Cemetery. The orchard has been working with pupils from West Jesmond Primary and Percy Hedley School, getting the next generation of Jesmond residents planting, pruning, and learning where food comes from.

If the fair whetted your appetite, the orchard's next big date is Apple Day on 10 October, a proper autumn celebration of the harvest.

Why it matters locally

Newcastle has held Fairtrade City status for more than 30 years, and days like this are how that reputation stays alive at street level. They turn good intentions into something you can actually join.

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Keen to get involved? Jesmond is full of hands-on options, from conservation work to growing your own. Our guides to volunteer groups and allotments and community gardens in Jesmond are a good place to start.

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